Saw the thread on mukluks, but they didn't excite me. I may not know what I'm missing though shrug

I went by MEC today and checked out what is left of their stock of boots. I liked the look and pricetag of the Baffin Bison winter boots, but when I tried tightening them up I noticed the plastic pieces through which the fastener elastics are looped were dethreading from the boot. Not the kind of durability I like.

My main intention is to get a boot that will be good for ice-fishing and some winter camping, so a MEC employee recommended the "sloppy" style of the Baffins, with thick insulation and a lack of laces. He claimed that the laced boots a la hiking boots are more suitable for active sports -- snowshoeing and so on -- due to being tightly-fastened.

Any recommendations on a boot similar to the Baffins that might hold up better? I have a habit of liking to tighten my boots really tightly, so was thinking maybe a strap system would be good instead of those elastic fasteners. On the flipside, any recommendations on a "universal" boot that can handle both low and high activity sports? By high activity, I only mean as much as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. By low activity, I suppose something that can with stand hours on the ice. Any stores that carry suggested brands would be great. I'd really love to see and try the boots on.

Hey Bryce,

I use these, primarily for ice fishing: http://www.sorel.com/Product.aspx?top=1&cat=120=112

No boot is perfect, and those above I find somewhat heavy but my feet stay toasty warm and dry on the ice. I use the Mukluks icefishing on the days where the temp falls within -6 to 0, anything below that or where there's pooled water/slush on the ice I use the Sorrels. I generally walk out on the ice and cover between 2-5 km per day, so the heavier boots are a drawback there. But standing jigging over a hole for an hour or more with windchills breaching -30 these boots do me fine.

Those higher-end mukluks (e.g. $200+) in that previous post look sweet though, I may look at those when my current Sorrels need replacinh.

How about these at Marks Work Ware House

http://www2.marks.com/productdetails.asp?categoryID=396&start=1&href=%2Fctwnew%2Fmarkprod%2Ensf%2FProductListByID%2F47DC07342F85C1CF8725720A002AC3E2%3FOpenDocument

WindRiver Tristar "Snow Leopard" Waterproof Boots with T-Max
Lightweight.
Heavyweight Cordura® nylon uppers,
HYPER-DRI® HD3 waterproof/breathable membrane.
Honeycomb EVA insole.
High Traction "Tristar" rubber outsole.

Rac n

Hello Bryce,

I Use a pair of Irish Setters 1000g Thinsulate for hunting as well as Ice fishing, with a pair of good socks they are a really nice boot for just about anything mother nature can dish out. Gagnon Sports in Oshawa or Bass Pro Shop in Toronto. I believe they were around $170 a couple of years ago. Price probably has gone up a little bit since then, but money well spent IMO.

Joe

http://www.overshoe.com/recreational/

Have a look at these....not all that great in terms of mobility, but man are they warm.

Formerly Foxco

Southern Georgian Bay
Ontario

Thanks for the suggestions -- I overlooked Mark's but will venture over there. I live in Oshawa so could scoot by Gagnon's some time to check out their stock, too.

Hi Bryce,

For Ice fishing I use Kamik Insulated Rubber Boot rated for -40C. IMO they are the best. The best defence against slush on the lakes. In slush any boot with a seam will leak over time. (I found that out the hard way)

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374303523075&bmUID=1231263375372&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442291823&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true

I will also use Kamik for snowshoing when there is a lot of fresh power or I'll use Merrell - Avalanche Polartec. rated for -15C

http://www.merrellcanada.com/catalogue.php?action=1000&product_id=9&sku=81117§ion=b2c&menu_id=9

Just a couple of suggestions for you.

SBA

Sorry that was me!

SBA